Wednesday, August 10, 2011

This is a copy of an e-mail I just got from Bethesda Transportation Solutions

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The Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) Commission has been working to “enhance efficiencies” for U.S. military bases and operations by closing and combining military facilities across the country.

Walter Reed Army Medical Center has been slated for closure on September 15, 2011. However, starting as early as mid-August, its operations and patients will be relocated to the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda.

This will affect Bethesda commuters.

It has been estimated that an additional 4,300 daily commuters will be coming in to the Bethesda area as a result of BRAC. The staff at Bethesda Transportation Solutions (BTS) has been working closely with the BRAC Implementation Committee (BIC), the Bethesda-Chevy Chase Chamber of Commerce, Montgomery County, and the State of Maryland to provide commuters with the most accurate and up-to-date information about roadway improvements, sidewalk construction and changes in traffic patterns. Watch the BTS website, www.bethesdatransit.org for BRAC-related construction and how it will affect your commute. Changes to roadways, sidewalks, and transit will occur often throughout this transition and may take several years. Commercial and private development projects also may affect traffic and transit operations. If you have a particular safety concern, issue or question please feel free to contact the Director of BTS, Kristen Blackmon at kblackmon@bethesda.org.

Who is BTS?

Bethesda Transportation Solutions (BTS) is a division of the Bethesda Urban Partnership (BUP), which is a non-profit organization, operating under a contract with Montgomery County, Maryland. BTS works to reduce traffic congestion in Bethesda. BTS is a FREE resource available to commuters and employers in Bethesda's business district who are looking for "another way" to get to work.

How can BTS help?

BTS staff can help commuters find another, better way to work. Explore the extensive BTS website to find information about carpooling, transit, biking, teleworking, and more! For more personal assistance, BTS will come to your office for FREE consulting services. BTS hosts Commuter Information Days in office buildings around the downtown area, and will even come to your office for an in-depth presentation.

Find Better Ways to Work!

Leaving the car at home isn’t as scary as it sounds.

Did you know that if you take transit, carpool, bicycle or walk to work, you are eligible for an emergency ride through the Guaranteed Ride Home program? If you have to leave work or stay late for any unexpected emergency or unplanned overtime, you can call 1-800-745-RIDE and they will send a taxi to your office (the average wait time is 5 minutes) to take you to your destination. And it’s FREE!

Did you know that the Bethesda Urban Partnership provides a FREE shuttle service starting at the Bethesda Metro Station with 20 stops around downtown Bethesda? The Bethesda Circulator runs every 10 minutes and will take you anywhere you want to go!

Don’t be caught off guard. The time to plan is now!

Contact Us!

All of our services are FREE, so please e-mail, call or just stop by our office!